PS2 showing no signs of slowing down despite being in its silver years

Mass market not ready for high-def gaming, says analysts

Before the two new console launches in November 2006, it was
popular belief that supplies of the Nintendo Wii would be ample and consumers
would be able to secure one without much hassle or worry. Today, a full five
months following launch, Wiis are still hard to find, and those who do find
them can resell them for a greater profit than the retailer.

According to one analyst’s opinion noted by Home
Media Magazine, the demand for the Wii could outstrip supply all the
way to 2009. “I believe the Wii will continue strong growth although supply
continues to be a problem,” said Billy Pidgeon, video game analyst, IDC. “I’d
like to see Wii hardware shipping in larger quantities or mass market consumers
may cool on it. Having said that, I don’t believe supply will meet demand for
the Wii until 2009.”

“Xbox 360 and PS3 need system-selling games ASAP. Halo 3 will help, as will Lair and Heavenly Sword, but that leaves a hole in Q2 which will be filled
by Wii, DS and PSP hardware and software. We’ll also see more PC and PS2
software picking up the slack,” added Pidgeon.

Apparently he isn’t the only analyst who feels that the mass
market isn’t quickly taking to high-definition gaming. Michael Pachter at
Wedbush Morgan Securities thinks that the PlayStation 2 will remain a strong
seller thanks to movie license games such as Spider-Man 3 and Harry Potter
and the Order of the Phoenix.

“It still seems to be the year of the PS2,” said Pachter. “Notwithstanding
all of the other choices, consumers keep buying PS2 games, with barely any drop
off. Virtually all of the year-over-year growth is attributable to a slower
than expected decline in PS2 software sales.”